2 pink lines appear, and you are overwhelmed with excitement with a new baby on the way. Pink, blue, cot, pram, car seat, 1st Christmas outfits, a baby announcement and gender reveal ideas all start flowing through the expecting mother’s mind.
Finally, you get to plan a baby shower but honestly have no idea where to even start.
We have you covered. READ ON
Now, this is your baby, and every choice is yours to cherish. This journey is meant to be embraced and enjoyed as you become parents and enter motherhood/fatherhood.
You can choose to do everything yourself, hand the responsibility over to a loved one or work with an events coordinator to create your perfect baby shower. It can be a simple baby shower, or you can go all out and have an extravagant baby shower.
First thing to do when planning a baby shower is decide where you would like your baby shower. Is it at your home, a loved one’s home or a paid venue?
Second thing is to pick a date that suits YOU (and a date that your chosen venue is available). You cannot and will not please everyone with your date so working around what suits you is the least stressful.
Also consider the time of day that suits you best to have your baby shower. Some expecting parents choose to have their baby shower in the afternoon as it’s both cooler in the day and gives a little more time to pull the party arrangements together in the morning. Some based on their location choice (if outside) choose to have it in the morning based on where the sun will be or the opening times (cafes) of their chosen location.
The decision is yours and needs to work in with what you are happy and not happy to do.
Third main thing to consider when planning your baby shower is your theme. Your chosen theme will determine what your invitations, cake, decorations and outfits will all look like. You could pick a certain colour, animal, neutral, floral, meaningful, location theme, character theme or anything that attracts your likely. Pinterest is a great place to search for baby shower theme ideas.
When should I send out my baby shower invitations?
Generally, most expecting parents hold their baby shower 6 weeks prior to their expecting due date as this allows a little window if bub chooses to come early but also gives parents an opportunity to purchase those last minutes baby products that they may not have received at their baby shower.
It is ideal to send baby shower invitations about 6 weeks prior to your chosen baby shower date as sending the invitations too early people sometimes forget and sending too late sometimes means guests have made other plans. Obviously, this is only a guide and choosing when to send them based on the who you are sending them too is your choice.
A point to consider is your RSVP date will need to allow you enough time to finalise cake size, catering and seating.
Who should I invite to my baby shower?
This is 100% up to you both, as the expecting parents. Your budget will affect how many people you can invite as will your location/venue size. As a guide write down the non-negotiable must be invited guests and then branch out to those additional guests who you would like to attend.
Consider who you have spoken too within the past 6 months and who has made an effect to connect with you. Some expecting parents create 2 lists the non-negotiable guests and the would be nice to invite guests and then they sit on this list for a week or two before actually deciding who will and will not be invited.
Should I organise baby shower games?
Short answer no you don’t have to, but it is a fun and engaging way to make the expecting mother/father feel that little extra special with their new little one arriving soon. 3-5 games are a good number of baby shower games that doesn’t make them drag out and your guests become bored.
Most baby shower games don’t require a lot of time to set up and last anywhere between 5-15 minutes. Some ideas include;
- guess the baby food
- smell the dirty nappy
- baby guessing game
- unscramble the baby word
- baby photo guessing game (add this requirement to baby shower invitation)
- hot potato dirty nappy (this is a fun baby shower game)
- my water broke
- down the hatch (this one is a funny baby shower game)
- advice to give the expecting parents
- nappy motivational message (this one can mean a lot to expecting parents in those early newborn days)
- blindfold nappy changing (another funny baby shower game)
- guess how long (older guests are surprisingly really good at this game)
The type of baby shower games and the quantity of games that you chosen is totally up to you, but it is a way to engage your guests at your baby shower. You may wish to organise game prizes too.
Do I have to open my baby shower presents at the baby shower?
Short answer no, however, it creates a beautiful moment to show your appreciation for their gift and allows others to see what you have received and what else you might need. It also creates an opportunity for welcome to the world little one gift ideas which is not essential/expected but some like to gift a welcome to the world present when your little one makes an entrance into the world.
Also, by opening your presents at your baby shower gives those who forgot to write who it was from on the gift the chance to say “it’s from me”.
Can I request certain baby items or is that rude?
Yes, you can. Once you find out you are expecting a baby you can start writing down (in notes on your phone is super handy) the things that you need and then you can review when someone asks you what you would like/need as a baby shower gift.
Some ideas to request include (depending on your guests budget):
- play mat (mention colour theme)
- high chair
- bibs/burp cloths
- swaddles/sleeping sacks
- riff raff comforter (mention which animal)
- nursing pillow
- baby nest
- monitor (be specific here)
- board books
- feeding sets (mention colour theme)
- baby first aid kit
- bath & lotion kit (be specific with brand)
- sensory toys
- activity centre/gym
- Bath Shirt Co towel set (be specific with colour theme)
- Bath Shirt Co washer set (can never have too many washcloths)
- Bath Shirt Co bath shirt
- digital thermometer
- baby bouncer
Requesting certain things is a great way to ensure you are getting a range of practical gifts that you both need and will use. There is no sense is in not being direct in what you would like or need because chances are you will end up being gifted a bunch of stuff that you either already have or will not actually use. Guests are more than happy to purchase what you have requested rather than just putting together a random collection of baby products.
Please keep in mind the price of the item as you don’t want to be adding stress to your guest that they “must get” what you requested. Requests should be ideas and worded like “possibly this or possibly that if not whatever you chose will be fine”.
What do I need to organise for the actual party? This could include but is not limited to:
- invitations
- cake & knife (using your wedding knife (if you had a one) is a nice touch) and/or baby shower cookies or donuts.
- venue – confirm date, have a weather plan, seating ect
- decorations (balloons, tablecloth, welcome to sign, signing/well wishes book, photo arch/sign, camera/phone ect)
- catering – drinks, nibbles, savoury and sweets - cutlery, plates, cups, drinks, drink stand, platter boards, knife, serving spoons ect
- baby shower games & prizes (based on how many have RSVP’d)
- expecting parents’ outfits (try on 1 week prior to baby shower to ensure growing belly fits comfortably)
Do I need baby shower favours?
No, but you can if you wish too to thank your guests for coming. Some baby shower favours include:
- thankyou cookie
- goodie bags
- sweet treats/lollies/candy
- mini bottle of wine
- bath soak/bath bomb
- mini jars of honey
Should I book a baby shower photographer?
In most cases, the cameras in our phones take great photos and 9/10 one of your guests would be more than happy to snap a few images of the day for you. If you really want a professional photographer and have the budget for one, then by all means you can most certainly book one but it’s not essential. If booking a professional baby photographer or getting a special guest capture your images, it’s a great idea to create a baby shower photo list so you get all those essential images as a minimum and then additional whatever else they capture.
At the end of the day your baby shower can be whatever you chose it to be because everything to do with your baby is your choice. There is no right or wrong way to do it and at the end of the day its all about you and your baby.
For more helpful resources visit – www.bathshirtco.com.au